This is the reality of Indian television :wave:
The Indian television audience has seen too much drama in daily soaps. Trends indicate that they have switched to drama in real life – reality shows, in short.
But many of these reality shows are licensed versions of successful foreign shows. Take a look at this – Bigg Boss is a copy of Bigg Brother, Indian Idol was a take-off from American Idol, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa is a copy of Strictly Come Dancing, and the famous Kaun Banega Crorepati, was a licensed version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Why isn't there an Indian reality show that will be original in concept? Or are the original ones simply less popular?
No problem with borrowing
Those involved in producing, directing and marketing these shows staunchly defend picking up tried-and-tested concepts that will guarantee success.
Siddharth Basu, the director of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, says, "Occasionally, when the stakes are high and when broadcasters want to break through the clutter, then they may look at a globally successful format that has worked across cultures and countries."
Anchor Arshad Warsi asserts that reality shows are a break from the sameness of daily soaps. "Reality shows are a notch above the usual saas-bahu dramas. So these reality shows are like a whiff of fresh air."
Mona Singh also gives the thumbs up to copies of phoren hits. "Not only does their short-lived excitement garner TRPs, it also comes as a welcome change for the viewer,"she says.
Home-made is low profile
This is what most feel, but Basu argues, "Perhaps they are not as hyped as global formats, but there have been a number of such Indian shows, and some of them remarkably done too,"says Basu.
"Hospital, on BBC World, shot at AIIMS, was one such. MTV Roadies is another. Not all are commercially successful, but neither are all Indian versions of global formats."
Sandeep Sikand, chief creative director of Sony agrees that many successful shows are copies, but says India is also coming up with original concepts.
Satya Raghavan, vice president, marketing, Star India Pvt Ltd, does not feel that Indian directors are scared to experiment.
He cites The Great Indian Laughter Champions as an example of an original concept, but feels there's more room for innovation. "The key to a successful show is to localise the concept,"and adds, "We constantly need to come up with original ideas so that it adds vibrancy to the show."
There's hope still
Most directors feel that Indian television at this stage is very experimental, and on its way to becoming a hugely successful industry. Basu adds, "Indian television is in a stage of awkward adolescence – overactive, imitative and confused, but restless and evolving."
Source :- Times Of India :hail:
